Author: Lasuba Memo | Published: 42 minutes ago
FILE PHOTO: Arial view of Akobo County in Jonglei State. (Photo: Charles Wote/EyeRadio).
The acting United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Marie-Helene Verney Karamagi, has welcomed commitments made by transitional government parties to facilitate humanitarian access to Akobo County in Jonglei State amid worsening humanitarian conditions.
In a statement issued in Juba on May 8, Karamagi said discussions with government parties resulted in assurances aimed at enabling humanitarian workers to safely reach affected communities in Akobo County.
“Karamagi welcomes the open discussions with, and commitments made by the transitional Government parties to facilitate humanitarian access to Akobo, Jonglei State, and the assurances provided by all to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and assets,” the statement said.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), humanitarian partners are prepared to rapidly scale up emergency food assistance, protection, nutrition, and health services in Akobo and surrounding areas.
“Humanitarian partners stand ready, with teams and supplies pre-positioned, to rapidly scale up emergency food assistance, protection, nutrition and health services in Akobo County and its surrounding areas,” the statement added.
The UN warned that a narrow window exists to reach vulnerable communities before the onset of the rainy season, which is expected to make access more difficult and deepen humanitarian needs.
The statement follows the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which identified Akobo as one of the counties projected to face catastrophic levels of hunger and malnutrition between April and July 2026.
“This is critical following the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which identified Akobo as one of the counties in Jonglei State projected to face catastrophic levels of hunger and malnutrition,” the statement noted.
The humanitarian situation has worsened following violence in March and April, which led to widespread displacement across the area.
The UN estimates that about 200,000 people have been displaced, including more than 100,000 who reportedly crossed into Ethiopia through Tergol.
“In Jonglei State, civilian infrastructures, including Akobo hospital, have been looted and damaged, disrupting health services,” the statement said.
Karamagi also expressed appreciation to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan for supporting a secure environment for humanitarian operations in Akobo.
“Full, safe and sustained humanitarian access at this time is essential to enable urgent life-saving assistance to reach affected communities and help avert a further deterioration of this worrisome humanitarian crisis we see unfolding,” Karamagi said.
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